Golden Tote April 2014

Golden Tote April 2014

After a week or so of being tormented by seeing everyone else's totes online, my April Golden Tote finally showed up today!

They changed the bag design this month, which is cute.  I think I like the "Stay Golden" version better, though.

New tote pattern this month!

The way GT works is that you pick either a $149 tote or a $49 tote.  With a $49 tote, you pick one item to start and you get 2-3 more items as a surprise.  The $149 option allows you to pick two items from the boutique and you will get 4-5 more items as a surprise.

The first item I picked is this cinched silk dress by I. Madeline:

I. Madeline Cinched Silk Dress

There are ties at each hip that cinch the waist, and this dress has a two-button front and also POCKETS!  Pockets in dresses are the best!

I wasn't sure if I actually liked this or not, but it fits well, is comfortable, and looks better with a sweater.  I took it on a test drive around town this evening.

The dress in action at the wall in Narragansett
Yes, that is my purse behind me... I thought it would be out of the frame there... oops.

I'm not crazy about the sleeves on their own, and I feel like without a sweater/cardigan/blazer this will look too much like a couch (or Kim Kardashian's infamous floral dress at the Met Gala while she was pregnant last May).  But, I do like this and I'm glad I picked it for my tote.  It seems to be really well made, and there are nice seaming details on the back.

Pattern and pleated back detail

Before I show you the second item I picked, I will show you my favorite item from this month's tote, a simple tank dress from Priddy by Puella.  Puella is the label created by the GT founders, and Priddy is an offshoot (I think made just for GT).  Puella is sold at Anthropologie.

I was really, really hoping I would get this dress, and I did! There were two color options I think, with the other being black and white only?  I'm not sure.  My ten second google search didn't turn anything up besides the red contrast.

Priddy by Puella Striped Tank Dress

Anyway, this dress is super duper soft and drapey.  I like that it is actually two layers throughout, it makes it a little more substantial and I won't have to worry about it flying away on a windy day!

I have a number of horizontal striped dresses from GT, and Puella/Priddy especially, but they are all different and I'm always happy to receive another one! They usually end up being my favorite item from the tote each month.

Priddy by Puella Striped Tank Dress

Now that you have seen that dress, I can show you the second item that I picked this month, a denim jacket by Thread and Supply.  I used to have a jean jacket, and I loved it, but then I gained 30 pounds and it no longer fit.  So, this is its replacement.  When I ordered it, I don't think I realized it was decorated other places than the front...

Thread and Supply Embroidered Denim Jacket, Front

See?  the back is pretty busy, and that is not quite my style.  However, the jacket itself fits really well and already feels broken-in.  I will make it work!

Thread and Supply Embroidered Denim Jacket, Back

Just in general, it's nice to have a casual light-weight jacket.  I had been missing something like this from my wardrobe.

Thread and Supply

The surprise item that was spoiled this month is this lace raglan from Woo, which was made specifically for this month's tote.  This shirt is definitely my style, and I'm glad I got it!  The sleeves are soft and a little stretchy, but the lace doesn't move at all.  GT included a plain black tank to go with it! You can never have too many plain tanks...

Woo Souvenir Edition Lace Raglan Top

However, as much as I love this top, I can't wear it right away.  The sleeve wasn't sewn all the way closed due to some of the fabric escaping the serger.

Woo Lace Raglan Top
Ripped Sleeve

I'll sew it shut on my dinky machine, but it still is a sucky situation.  I feel like this company got sloppy, having to crank out so many of this top, and did not go through any kind of quality control.  I read in the facebook trading group that some other people had the same issue.  Too bad!

Woo Raglan Top

Here's where things go even further downhill.  Seaming issues aside, I like all of the previous items a lot.  I don't really like the other two things I was sent, starting with this high-low top from Sweewe.

Sweewe High-Low Floral Top

The black band at the bottom of the shirt, under the white? That's the bonus tank that was included with the lace raglan.  There is NO WAY I can wear this shirt without a tank underneath it... I'm just too old (and too out of shape) to get on the crop-top bandwagon.  The back is nice, though.

Sweewe High-Low Floral Top

I would like this a LOT better if the neckline was different, and the material was longer in the front.  The pattern is pretty, and I like the back of this, but that's about it.  It's very light and airy and would be great in the summer... on someone else.

Sweewe

The last item is another item that is comfy, and fits well, but would look a lot better on someone else.  It just isn't my style at all!

Trendology Boho Top

I might put these last two items up on the trading group to see if someone else wants them.

Trendology Boho Top

Oh well, you win some and you lose some.  I really like 4 out of the 6 items, and I got a bonus tank top! I was under the impression I would only get 5 items in this month's tote because the silk dress had a pretty high value, but I ended up with 6 anyway.

Black Tank

Overall, this month was not too bad...  Especially if I can sell or trade the two tops that I don't like as much.

April 2014 Golden Tote

No special consideration or compensation was received for this post and all thoughts and opinions are my own. All items mentioned within were paid for by me.

Golden Tote March 2014

Golden Tote, March 2014

Well, that's it.  I'm going on a diet!

I was so excited to get my $149 March Golden Tote! I had picked out some cute items and was looking forward to my surprises.

The tote itself

We will start with the surprise items.

Priddy by Puella Gray and White Striped Dress

Priddy by Puella gray and white striped dress- back view

I love this dress! It is exactly something that I would have picked out for myself!  

Priddy striped dress, back

Between the crossed back, the above-the-knee length, and the gray and white striped pattern, it is just about my perfect dress!  

Priddy striped dress, front

It's a little on the snug side, though :(  That's ok... at this rate, I'll have another month of snow before I can even wear this, so there is time to shed my winter pounds.

Porridge duck-backed T-shirt

Porridge tee... with DUCKS

This was one of the spoiled surprise items this month, and I am in love! 

Porridge tee, front

I was really hoping to get the duck print, I think it is so fun.  There were a few other patterns sent out this month, and they are all adorable!  

Porridge tee, back
Do you know one of the collective nouns for ducks is a PLUMP?  I have a plump of ducks on this shirt.

Plus, this is probably THE MOST comfy t-shirt I have ever owned.  It's amazingly soft and drapey.

Noble Sweater in driftwood

Noble sweater

I'm making up that color, but it's a pale purple-toned taupe.  It is a nice stretchy one-size-fits-most ribbon knit sweater.  

Noble sweater, front

It's cute!  I will get a lot of use out of this, as I really like open-knit patterns.  The seaming is a little weird, and I wish there were either zero or two pockets, but it is totally wearable.  

Noble sweater, back

I like that it is on the bigger side, and that is is super stretchy.  We all have bloated days, right?

Under Skies Lace-print shell

Under Skies lace-print shell

I actually wore this today and liked it more than I thought I would.  It looks so much better under a cardigan!  

Kinda boring like this
Under Skies lace print top

The print is subtle, and the material is silky soft.  It drapes nicely, but tends to get a little static-y.  

Big girl clothes!
Needs a sweater
Under Skies lace print top

I'll get some use out of it, especially if I end up going to a week-long conference this June, which I just registered for.  I need some big-girl, non-grad-student clothes!  I'm getting there, and Golden Tote is helping.

Here we go with the two items I chose.

Black and White Plaid shirt by Thread and Supply (Not-so-basic button-up)

Thread and Supply plaid button-up

I was hoping this would be flannel, but it is just a really soft cotton.  It's pretty sturdy, but still totally comfortable.  It is also a tiny snug and I can't button it all the way because of button gaps!  

I keep trying new poses and they are all awkward, then they end with me with my hand on my hip like always.
Not so basic button up in black and white

I wore a cami under it to work yesterday and it was ok, but I'm going to have to be vigilant about not putting it in the dryer!  

Thread and Supply button up

Normally everything I order from GT fits me perfectly, so I was a little sad about this shirt.  I didn't change my size preferences, either.  I guess this shirt just runs small!  Another reason to stop eating pizza and take-out.  (But it's so convenient and delicious!)

Elephant Dress by Porridge

Elephant dress by Porridte

I'm a little embarrassed I'm actually putting these pictures online!  It was quite the ordeal to zip me into this, and I couldn't wear a bra, and I'm pretty sure that this is obscene.  

...but it has POCKETS!

So, in short, this dress is way too small! I ordered the size I normally wear in dresses, but I definitely should have sized up.  I'm going to sell or trade this.  I don't even think losing a few pounds would work :(

Elephants!

This really bums me out.  This elephant dress is the reason I got the tote in the first place!  Ugh.

All together

Anyway, it was a decent tote style-wise, even with the size mishaps.  I picked two items and received 4 more in my $149 tote.  They also offer a smaller tote every month for $49, where you get to choose 1 item and receive 1-2 more.  The new sale is usually up the first week of the month, and I usually get my tote 3.5 weeks after ordering.  This is not a recurring subscription.



This is what is behind me in all those pictures, by the way!

I didn't know orchids dropped their flowers! I was so sad this fall! But now it is re-blooming :)

No special consideration or compensation was received for this post and all thoughts and opinions are my own. All items mentioned within were paid for by me.

Subscription Box Spoilers, March 2014

Hello everyone!

There are some good spoilers and deals out there for subscription boxes right now.

Popsugar Must Have is featuring this pretty scarf in their March box, AND you can use IKAT10 as a code to get $10 off.  This makes your box $30! 

Golden Tote selection time!  I picked the $149 tote with:

Elephant Dress

Not-so-Basic Button Down in Black and White

Are you getting anything this month?

Ipsy spoilers have started rolling in!

BareMinerals Double Trouble

Spoiler 1 shows this gloss and lipstick- subscribers will get 1 of the two.

FabFitFun  has two spoilers out for their spring box!  Use code SPRING5 to save $5 off of the $50 price tag.

Kai Perfume Oil (gardenia)

Turband from Cult Gaia

This post contains referral links.

Golden Tote February 2014 Review

Golden Tote February 2014 Review: $149 Tote

It's everyone's favorite time! Golden Tote review day!

The Tote, Itself

Golden Tote is a monthly clothing surprise service.  There are two options: a $49 tote and a $149 tote.  With the smaller tote, you pick one item from a gallery and GT surprises you with 1-3 more items.  This tote usually includes one clothing item and an accessory as the surprises.  The larger tote contains 6-7 items, with you picking the first two.  This tote will almost always include all clothing and zero accessory items (like scarves).  The larger tote will send you dresses more often than the smaller one.

Right now GT has sizes XS-L.  For reference, I order a size small tote and am a size 4 (27) in jeans and usually a small in tops (Old Navy and Target).  Everything always fits me really well.

First Look

This month, I was looking to expand my spring wardrobe.  This means getting away from my winter staple of gray, and into my spring staple of cream.  My two picks represent that mind-set.

Under Skies Dress

Under Skies Embroidered Shift Dress (Step into Spring Creme Dress on the site). ($45)

Under Skies Dress

This was the first item I chose.  I loved the cream color, with black accents.  It is the perfect winter-to-spring transition piece!  It has 3/4 sleeves and is lined.  It hits just above the knee. 

Under Skies Dress, Bow in Front

 I tried tying the belt in both the front and the back, and I like it either way.  I can't wait to wear it!

Under Skies Dress, Bow in Back

Potters Pot Pretty Embroidered Top ($42).

Potter's Pot Top

I couldn't pass up this top! It is cream, and I love sheer tops for this time of year!  I feel like they are very feminine, and that is usually how I try to dress in the spring. 

Potter's Pot Top

 Enough bulky sweaters and snow boots- give me sheer fabrics, soft colors, and delicate details.  I am wearing a pale pink tank top underneath for the pictures. 

Surprise Items:
Priddy by Puella Swing Dress

Priddy by Puella Swing Dress

This swing dress was one of the mystery items that was revealed during the ordering window.  The founders of Golden Tote are the ladies behind the Puella line of clothing (sold at Anthropologie), and it looks like now there is an offshoot of Puella called Priddy.  

Priddy by Puella Swing Dress

All of the dresses I have from Puella are really comfortable and look great on.  I have a 3/4 sleeve swing dress from them already, and was glad to add this full-sleeved one to my closet.  

Swing Dress, not belted

The elbows have lighter patches on them, and the fabric is a medium heathered blue.  It is darker than in the solo pictures.  The color in the first look picture is the most accurate.

Swing Dress, belted

As with most swing dresses, it looks better on me when I have it belted.

Puella Leggings

Puella Leggings.  Now, with 100% more duvet fuzz!

Another Puella item!  These leggings have a ruffled fold-over top and are made of nice, thick fabric.  They are also a lot longer than the other leggings I have!  Most only go down to my ankle bone, but these are longer than that.  I will definitely get some use out of them.

Ruffle Leggings

  I don't believe in leggings as pants, though, so I'm afraid nobody will be able to see the ruffled top.  Leggings are for under dresses and tunics!  Say no to camel toe!  All in all, I can always use more leggings.  I like them.

Under Skies Shirt

Under Skies Shirt

In the past, I have been sent a number of items of clothing by Under Skies, and I have loved them all.  

Under Skies Shirt

I was a little hesitant about this one until I unfolded it! I really like it.  The material is light and silky, and the crossed back adds a little pizzazz.

Under Skies Shirt, Back
with Puella Leggings

Under Skies Shirt, Front
with Puella Leggings

  It drapes nicely and the pattern isn't too garish for me.  I approve! Another win.

In Clover Top

In Clover Top

The last item is the one I was the most afraid of.  I had seen some spoilers online of other people's totes, and I was hoping I would not get this shirt (there were some other items that I didn't want to get, either, but this was the only one that showed up in my tote).  

In Clover Top

Alas, I got it.  I was afraid the patterned placket would be too much for me, but I don't hate it!  It is much nicer in person, and even better on a human.  The shirt itself is nice and soft, and I like the rolled-up sleeves.  I will make it work.

This was a nice tote for me.  I wear the clothing from GT more than anything else in my wardrobe! I went away for this past weekend and just about everything I wore was from one tote or another.  The items are always good quality and fit well.  I like that I can pick out one or two things I know I will love, and get surprised by the rest!  GT has a place for you to create a style profile, so the company can hopefully tailor your tote to your preferences.  It seems to work well for me!

No special consideration or compensation was received for this post and all thoughts and opinions are my own. All items mentioned within were paid for by me.